Ten Principles of Success -- Al Risala

The Prophet of Islam (PBUH) was one
of the most supremely successful men in history. But he was not only a hero,
as Thomas Carlyle has called him. According to the Qur'an, he was a good example
for all mankind. He has shown us the way of achieving supreme success in this
world.

By studying the life of the Prophet (pbuh) we can derive ten important
principles which he followed. In short, the Prophet of Islam was a positive
thinker in the full sense of the word. He knew how to "pick his battles". All
his activities were result-oriented. He completely refrained from steps that
were counter-productive. These are the qualities which make for greatness.
We can be successful in our own lives by implementing these principles when
possible. Examine how the following ten principles used by the Prophet Mohammad
(pbuh) can help you in your daily life.

1. To Begin From the
Possible

This principle is explained in a saying of Aishah. She said: "Whenever
the Prophet had to choose between two options, he always opted for the easier
choice." (Al-Bukhari)
To choose the easiest option means to begin from the possible and one who begins
from the possible will surely reach his goal. To work from the point of least
resistance enables one to work 'smart' without wasting resources.

2. To See Advantage in Disadvantage

In the early days of Mecca, there were
many problems and difficulties. At that time, a guiding verse in the Qur'an
was revealed. It said: "With every hardship
there is ease, with every hardship there is ease." (Qur'an 94:5-6) If
there are problems, there are also opportunities. Turn a liability into an
asset with creative and resourceful thinking. Keep an open mind for the possibilities.

3.
To Change the Place of Action

This principle is derived from the Hijrah. Hijrah
was not just a migration from Mecca to Medina. It was to find a more conducive
point from which to establish and practice Islamic principles. This also leads
back to the first principle.

4. To Make a Friend Out of an
Enemy

The prophet of Islam was repeatedly subjected to practices of antagonism
by the unbelievers. At that time the Qur'an enjoined upon him the return of
good for evil. And then, as the Qur'an added, "You will
see your direst enemy has become your closest friend." (Qur'an 41:34) It
means that a good deed in return of a bad deed has a conquering effect over
your enemies. And the life of the Prophet is a historical proof of this principle.

5.
To Turn Minus into Plus

After the Battle of Badr, about 70 of the unbelievers
were taken as the prisoners of war. They were educated people. The Prophet
announced that if any one of them would teach ten Muslim children how to read
and write he would be freed. This was the first school in the history of Islam
in which all of the students were Muslims, and all of the teachers were from
the enemy ranks. As has been said about the Prophet (pbuh): "He
faced adversity with the determination to wring success out of failure."

6.
The Power of Peace is Stronger Than the Power of Violence

When Mecca was conquered,
all of the Prophet's opponents were brought before him. They were war criminals,
in every sense of the word. But the Prophet did not order them to be killed.
He simply said: "Go, you are free." The result
of this kind behavior was miraculous. They immediately accepted Islam.

7. Not to be a Dichotomous Thinker

In the famous Ghazwa of Muta, Khalid bin
Walid decided to withdraw Muslim forces from the battlefield because he discovered
that the enemy unproportionaly outnumbered them. When they reached Medina,
some of the Muslims received them by the word "O
Furrar (O deserters!)" The Prophet said "No. They are Kurrar (men of advancement)." Those
Medinan people were thinking dichotomously, either fighting or retreating.
The Prophet said no. There is also a third option, and that is to avoid war
and find a time to strengthen yourself. Choose your battles. Now history tells
us that the Muslims, after three years of preparation, advanced again towards
the Roman border and this time they won a resounding victory.

8.
To Bring the Battle in One's Own Favorable Field

This principle is derived from
the Ghazwa of Hudaibiyya. At that time, the unbelievers wanted to engage the
Muslims in fighting, because they were in an advantageous position. The Prophet,
by accepting their conditions unilaterally, entered into a pact. It was a ten-year
peace treaty. Until then, the meeting ground between Muslims and non- Muslims
had been on the battlefield. Now the area of conflict became that of ideological
debate. Within two years, Islam emerged as victorious because of the simple
reason of its ideological superiority.

9. Gradualism Instead
of Radicalism

This principle is well-established by a hadith of Al-Bukhari.
Aishah says that the first verses of the Qur'an were related mostly to heaven
and hell. And then after a long time when the people's hearts had softened
and their faith strengthen, the specific commands to desist from adultery and
drinking were revealed in the Qur'an. This is a clear proof that for social
changes, Islam advocates the evolutionary method, rather than the revolutionary
method.

10. To Be Pragmatic in Controversial Matters

During the writing of Hudaibiyyah
treaty, the Prophet dictated these words: "This
is from Muhammad, the Messenger of God." The Qurayshi delegate raised objections
over these words. The Prophet promptly changed the wording and ordered simply
Muhammad, son of Abdullah.

Ten valuable principles.Put them into practice in our lives and we can be
successful in this life
...and the next, in sha Allah.